My coffee has evolved over the years. I use to brew my coffee, sweeten it with sugar or sometimes artificial sweeteners (I know, yikes!) then add french vanilla creamer to it.

Then I couple of years ago I decided to try a different route. I started making my own cold brew. I would blend that with a couple of dates, a tbsp of coconut oil, and coconut milk. This was high maintenance as it required a blender. I also wasn’t happy with consuming all the sugars from the dates so early in the morning.

So for the last year I have been drinking my coffee like this: my cold brew, coconut water (I like to use a high quality one like Harmless Harvest), and my homemade coconut milk. I never measure it out. I just pour some coconut water in, then coconut milk and then fill up the rest of my glass with cold brew. It’s completely customizable and delicious. The coconut water adds sweetness, the milk makes it creamy and the cold brew is smooth and strong. It’s dairy free, gluten free, soy free and sugar free. It’s how I start every day!

It is possible to sweeten your coffee without using dairy, sugar, and gross additives. This is better than any creamer that I have ever used and if you would have asked me a year ago if I would be saying this I would not believe you. I loved french vanilla creamer so much you would have thought I had stock in the company. Your coffee will be deliciously sweet and you will be healthier for it. These ingredients also happen to be Paleo, and Vegan!

These 3 ingredients have changed the way I drink coffee.

Dates:

Dates have become my best friend, especially during this elimination diet where I have taken away alot of the foods I usually eat. Dates are naturally sweet and really help with the digestive process. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals and also give you a boost of energy. They contain essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin K. So basically nature’s candy is a powerhouse!

So as you can imagine dates offer alot of health benefits. I’ll list just a few of them below.

strengthen your bones

relieve constipation

they are a great supplement for people who suffer from anemia

help to relieve seasonal allergies

a great energy booster because of the natural sugar they contain

reduce levels of LDL cholesterol

Coconut Oil:

Over the last 6 months or so I have come to love coconut oil. I probably go through a jar every week or so. I always buy organic unrefined. If you are going to be consuming alot of something you want to make sure it is of high quality. My practitioner told me I need to be consuming at least 2 tbsp of coconut oil each day. After reading some of the incredible health benefits you might want to as well.

More than 90% of coconut oil consists of saturated fat. Most of them are medium chain triglycerides, which has been shown to have many health benefits. It is important to note that not all saturated fat behaves the same in the body. Due to its high lauric acid content it is actually beneficial to the body. Lauric acid makes up 40% of the total. Lauric acid is helpful in dealing with viruses and diseases. It can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can help boost your metabolism and thyroid function. It has also been shown to help reduce candida and yeast in the body.

Coconut Milk:

Coconut milk is a wonderful alternative to using dairy. Like coconut oil, coconut milk contains lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that’s easily absorbed and used by the body for energy. It also improves cholesterol and blood pressure. Coconut milk also provides important minerals needed to maintain blood volume, regulate heart health, and prevent dehydration. Coconut milk is very filling helping you to feel full and satisfied.

Coffee Sweetener

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An easy way to sweeten your coffee that is all natural and healthy. I promise you will not miss the sugar!

Put all the ingredients into a blender along with your cold brew coffee and blend until all the ingredients are combined. I usually blend mine in a Vitamix for 30 seconds. Your cold brew will be frothy and delicious! Enjoy!

Hi guys! How’s everyones week been? It’s been a busy one for us. I’ve been taking down Halloween decor and getting it all put away. Lily had her last couple of cheer games this week, and Jim and I have been in the kitchen cooking up all kind of delicious creations for the blog. With the weather being cooler it makes being in the kitchen baking and cooking even more fun than usual! This weekend we have some fun things planned. A Pecan Festival in a neighboring town Saturday morning and then Saturday evening we have a Fall Festival at mine and Jim’s old high school. Well actually it was also my elementary school too. There have been so many wonderful memories there. It was a Magnet School and sadly it was shut down several years back due to budgeting. The school has been turned into a community center and the community puts on a wonderful Fall Festival, just like the ones I remember going to while I was in school. It’s is fun taking our girls back there and sharing stories with them!

Now on to the things making me happy this week!

1. Honey Crisp Apples – I love almost any kind of apple as long as it is firm and crisp with just the right about of sweet vs. tartness and oh my goodness I think the Honey Crisp Apple crop has been extra delicious this year! I have been enjoying one almost everyday as an afternoon snack.

2. Yellow Flicker Beat – On mine and Jim’s 1 hour and 45 minute drive back from Jacksonville the other night I listened to this song non stop! Obsessed much….yeah that’s me! Oh and is anyone else excited about Mockingjay coming out later this month!?!

3. I reserve my pancake eating for Sunday mornings after I finish my long run! Currently I am in love with these from Immaculate Baking Company. Their Organic Pancake and Waffle Mix is delicious. I follow the directions on the box, where it calls for milk I use coconut milk. I love to top mine with a little ginger syrup!

4. Last month my goal was to run 100 miles, I ended the month at 102 miles. It was challenging but fun, just enough to keep me on my toes. No slacking! This month I plan to do the same.

5. and please tell me that I am not the only one that this happens too! 🙂

1. One thing that will always make the top of this list is COFFEE! I read one day how it is good for you and the next how it will ruin your life. But you know what, I love it and it makes me happy to get up in the mornings so that’s good enough for me!

2. Going on long runs! Up until a couple of months ago my longest run was 6.5 miles. Then one morning I decided to push myself a little and I ran 8 miles. Mentally though it was so tough doing that on my own. A friend invited me to run along with her in a local running group. I cannot tell how nice it is to run with others that enjoy it and challenge each other. Since joining them my longest run was 13.1 miles a couple of weeks ago!

3. Fall! In my opinion the absolute best time of the year! In the South fall is a little tricky. The weather usually yo yo’s. It can go from highs in the 90’s one day to highs in the 70’s the next. I love those days in the 70’s! To me that is perfect. There is a chill in the air and I can break out the sweaters. There is nothing more comfy than being snuggled in a sweater. 🙂